Americans showed up in force to wish Texas centenarian Ethelyn Szad Bell a happy birthday earlier this week.
Bell, a U.S. Army veteran and a Veterans Land Board chairwoman, had requested back in September that the public send her 100 birthday cards for her 100th birthday on October 4.
After the request was picked up by different media outlets, heartfelt messages began pouring into the Clyde W. Cosper Texas State Veterans Home in Bonham.
In all, Bell received more than 7,200 cards from across the country. They were joined by other gifts from her friends and family, as well as flower arrangements, two large sheet cakes, and a punch bowl. Bell was also treated to a margarita.
U.S. Rep. Pat Fallon also sent Bell a Texas flag, and she was presented with certificates from Bonham City Mayor H.L. Compton and Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham.
“It is deeply inspiring to see not only the Bonham community but also people from across our state and nation wholeheartedly embrace their duty to honor our veterans,” said Buckingham during the celebration, according to CBS News.
Bell’s work within the community spans over decades.
She enlisted in the Army as a nurse at the age of 21 in March of 1945 and went on to serve in the Army Nurse Corps in the Philippines and Nagoya, Japan, during World War II. Ascending to the rank of Second Lieutenant, she was honorably discharged in July of 1946.
Dedicating herself to the community, she worked at the Veterans Administration Hospital in McKinney and later as a devoted elementary school nurse until her retirement at age 55.
Several other World War II vets have hit this momentous milestone to much fanfare this year.
As covered in The Dallas Express, Carl Reid of Big Spring made a similar request on Facebook in June and ended up getting over 4,500 birthday cards sent to him for his 100th birthday. A fellow World War II vet, Reid served as a U.S. corporal and received the Good Conduct Medal and the Victory Medal.
